Excelsior Online Program

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I am curious if anyone has any info or has attended this program themselves, or knows anyone who has. I've done quite a bit of research on it and it seems legit. My teacher also agrees that it is the only program she has heard good things about. Also, if anyone is familiar with their courses and knows about the credit by exam offered for certain course how do you feel about those? I only need the very last two classes and they are both offered by that method. They offer study guides an practice tests, etc. I have no worries about passing them, I would just like to hear some person experiences with this college.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and reply to this in advance!

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I recently graduated from EC on August 21,2015. Took my NCLEX on August 25th passed. I took only the 7 exams for the nursing program. I didn't do the classes. I did credit by exam. I got the study guides called SG101 and after making two C's on the tests, I bought the books. EC does give you a study guide to use and you can purchase the practice exams from EC as well. The biggest challenge is the CPNE. If you don't know what that is, you need to research it. CPNE is the final test. It is a subjective test (clinical) over 3 days. My only regret is not doing it sooner. I was in a BSN program and my husband was transferred to Texas. I had a gpa of 4.0 and was wait listed here because I was out of state. I signed up for EC after 2 weeks of extensive research to make sure it was legit. 2 weeks later UTA accepted me in their BSN program. I already paid EC and finished less than one year later.

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Thank you for your input, that makes me feel much better! The wait list is the problem I am having trouble with too, here in a small town its about politics not my gpa. And I have researched the dreaded clinical weekend, but my school was very intense about our skills so I'm not worried. I was scared to death at first and hated it but now I'm so thankful I had such a wondeful professor who believed in me and threw each and every single thing at me she could find because she knew I could succeed even when I doubted myself.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Thank you for your input, that makes me feel much better! The wait list is the problem I am having trouble with too, here in a small town its about politics not my gpa. And I have researched the dreaded clinical weekend, but my school was very intense about our skills so I'm not worried. I was scared to death at first and hated it but now I'm so thankful I had such a wondeful professor who believed in me and threw each and every single thing at me she could find because she knew I could succeed even when I doubted myself.

Are you a currently licensed LPN/certified paramedic or trying to finish an RN program in progress? Excelsior no longer admits those who partially completed RN programs unless they are currently licensed as an LPN, certified paramedic or completed specific levels of military medic training. They used to about 4 years ago but stopped. Plus if you were dismissed from the RN program for any reason you would have not been eligible and must start from the beginning.

You must take a specific amount of credits at Excelsior to be considered for residency (a matriculated student not where you live) and eligible for graduation.

If you only need one or two classes you may not be eligible. Have you spoken to Excelsior yet? Last person I know that was an LPN with partial RN classes had to repeat a significant amount of RN classes.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I am curious if anyone has any info or has attended this program themselves, or knows anyone who has. I've done quite a bit of research on it and it seems legit. My teacher also agrees that it is the only program she has heard good things about. Also, if anyone is familiar with their courses and knows about the credit by exam offered for certain course how do you feel about those? I only need the very last two classes and they are both offered by that method. They offer study guides an practice tests, etc. I have no worries about passing them, I would just like to hear some person experiences with this college.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and reply to this in advance!

You will likely have to do most, if not all, of the nursing courses - not just two. Excelsior College accepts science courses as long as they are no older than 5 years and they are liberal in accepting general education credits, but very rarely will they accept nursing courses for transfer credits. Your best bet would be to formally apply to Excelsior and have all transcripts sent for the college to review your courses and tell you exactly what you'll need to complete your degree.

These links might be helpful:

https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/the-excelsior-college-808335.html

https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/the-clinical-performance-884109.html

Good luck! :)

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Are you a currently licensed LPN/certified paramedic or trying to finish an RN program in progress? Excelsior no longer admits those who partially completed RN programs unless they are currently licensed as an LPN, certified paramedic or completed specific levels of military medic training. They used to about 4 years ago but stopped. Plus if you were dismissed from the RN program for any reason you would have not been eligible and must start from the beginning.

You must take a specific amount of credits at Excelsior to be considered for residency (a matriculated student not where you live) and eligible for graduation.

If you only need one or two classes you may not be eligible. Have you spoken to Excelsior yet? Last person I know that was an LPN with partial RN classes had to repeat a significant amount of RN classes.

Yes I have spoken with them, but I know how a school will tell you anything you want to hear so I really wanted to hear from people who had experienced it themselves. And I am a LPN and they are not worried about any of my credits transferring from my RN program because it was an accredited nursing program and I was not dismissed for any reason. My academic record is in perfect condition so there's no problem there. The application fee is just such a steep fee, which I do not mind paying, as long as I know it is an honest program.

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You will likely have to do most, if not all, of the nursing courses - not just two. Excelsior College accepts science courses as long as they are no older than 5 years and they are liberal in accepting general education credits, but very rarely will they accept nursing courses for transfer credits. Your best bet would be to formally apply to Excelsior and have all transcripts sent for the college to review your courses and tell you exactly what you'll need to complete your degree.

These links might be helpful:

https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/the-excelsior-college-808335.html

https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/the-clinical-performance-884109.html

Good luck! :)

Thank you! Luckily mine are all in the 5 year marker except my very first basic classes which will become 6 years this spring but they do not feel that will become any problem.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It's a NLN center of excellence in nursing education and has been for quite a few years.

The program requires a candidate to be a dedicated independent learner. If one is not strongly self motivated and need a classroom environment with face to face interaction with instructors and classmates then EC's distance education program is a poor choice. It's neither quick nor easy. Neither is traditional brick and mortar nursing programs.

I asked about LPN or medic because many don't realize the entrance requirements changed in the last few years. They used to admit RRT and partial RN program completion students but not any longer.

The $80 or so application fee is not that bad as it includes the transcript evaluations.

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It's a NLN center of excellence in nursing education and has been for quite a few years.

The program requires a candidate to be a dedicated independent learner. If one is not strongly self motivated and need a classroom environment with face to face interaction with instructors and classmates then EC's distance education program is a poor choice. It's neither quick nor easy. Neither is traditional brick and mortar nursing programs.

I asked about LPN or medic because many don't realize the entrance requirements changed in the last few years. They used to admit RRT and partial RN program completion students but not any longer.

The $80 or so application fee is not that bad as it includes the transcript evaluations.

I completely understand. I have the competence and drive absolutely. I completed a LPN program for the sole purpose of this program because they stopped admitting partial RN students. I have no problem catching on quickly or retaining what I learn and I do not plan to stop with just my RN either. I really appreciate the depth you've answered with, it gives me so much more faith in the program than I already had. It's $!00 now, but I have no problem with that as long as its true. I just got worried when I read about some lawsuits about other schools advertising like Excelsior and students completing them and they turned out not even having any connection with any sort of BON what so ever. Thats what worried me.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

The "schools" are not schools they are publishers and include DLSi, TCN (the college network), ATP/achieve test prep, Rue and others. Not a single one of these test prep publishers is endorsed, affiliated with or recommended by Excelsior College despite what their representatives claim.

Your self evaluation sounds like you are the perfect candidate for this set up. Good luck.

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The "schools" are not schools they are publishers and include DLSi, TCN (the college network), ATP/achieve test prep, Rue and others. Not a single one of these test prep publishers is endorsed, affiliated with or recommended by Excelsior College despite what their representatives claim.

Your self evaluation sounds like you are the perfect candidate for this set up. Good luck.

Thank you very much I appreciate your encouragement!!

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How did you finish in a year? Like how did you plan your test?

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